Sir John Franklin Letter to Lady Jane Franklin (1844 December 31)

Athenaeum

31st December 1844

My dearest love,

I have just left Parry and come here to write to you – he had not heard anything more about the Expedition. We developed several points together and I told him the opinions I had formed from the reading of his Melville Island Voyage and that of Wrangel on which he concurred. He also thought that I had better not go to either Beaufort or Barrow until the paper of the latter has been sent to me, but continue my reading of the voyages which I had told him I was doing. We have agreed to talk over the points together as they suggest themselves to me. I could not get down today to Ross.

[...]

I return your paper which I copied and sent it with the others to Richardson.

[...]

The Times has a short paragraph alluding to the expedition and says it is to be offered to Ross - if he declines the command falls to me. Tomorrow will be the New Year. May it prove to & dear Eleanor, and to all your family circle through the blessing of God, all that you would desire.

Ever yours, Most affly

John Franklin

Page images (4)

About this document ...

  • Written by: Sir John Franklin
  • Written to: Jane Franklin
  • Archive: Scott Polar Research Institute
  • Collection: GB 15 Sir John Franklin/Correspondence
  • Reference number: MS 348/18/7
  • Date: 1844 December 31
  • Page(s): 1-4
  • Notes: Franklin discusses his lobbying senior Admiralty officers for the command of the Arctic expedition
Sunken ship